The main goal of IELTS Reading is to test your ability to understand what you have read
Many test-takers believe that it’s an impossible task for non-native English speakers. They say, “Scoring band 9 in IELTS Reading Module is very hard for us as English is not our first language. We simply cannot know all that tricky vocabulary”.
Obviously you will encounter some unknown words during the IELTS Reading Test. But you shouldn’t worry – it’s completely normal!
Important information about IELTS Reading Test
The Reading module of IELTS is different for IELTS Academic and IELTS General candidates
The texts in the IELTS Academic are slightly more challenging as compared to the ones asked in the IELTS General, but, the grading is done at the same level. This also implies that more number of questions need to be correct in the IELTS General to obtain similar band score as in IELTS Academic.
How IELTS Reading Test Works ?
Duration |
60 minutes |
Length |
3 Passages |
No. of Questions |
40 |
When to Answer |
Read Passage & Answer the Questions |
The total number of correct answers (out of 40) is called your RAW Score and it then converted to it's equivalent band score.
See Raw to Band conversion table (IELTS Academic)
See Raw to Band conversion table (IELTS General)
Important information about IELTS Reading Test
-
Both IELTS Academic and IELTS General candidates appear for the different reading tests.
-
The number of questions are 40 and duration is 60 minutes.
-
The 3 passages will remain with you for the entire duration of the test.
-
No Additional Time is provided to transfer answers to an answer sheet.
-
You are awarded 1 mark for each correct answer (Total 40 questions).
-
No negative marking for incorrect answer.
-
Answer in whatever sequence you like, the questions paper & answer sheet will be taken from you after 60 minutes.
-
You can write/make notes/draw something on the question paper but the Answer sheet must be absolutely neat and clean.
Kinds of Questions in IELTS Reading Test
-
Short Answer Questions (upto THREE Words)
-
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
-
True, False, Not Given
-
Yes, No, Not Given
-
Chart Questions
-
Paragraph Location
-
Heading Match question
-
Form Completion
-
Table Completion
-
Notes Completion
-
Fill in the Blanks (complete a sentence)
-
Plan Map Questions
-
Matching Questions
Common Mistakes during IELTS Reading Test
-
Candidate didn't read the instructions properly.
-
Candidate was trying to understand everything in the passage
-
Didn't use the prediction skills
-
Losing the focus
-
Day dreaming
-
Ignoring the given instructions for word limits
-
Spelling mistakes
-
Grammatical errors
-
Leaving blank answers
-
Spending too much time on a question
-
Guessing the answers
How Bands are calculated in IELTS Academic Reading Test ?
| Correct Answers | Band Score |
|---|---|
| 39 - 40 | 9 |
| 37 - 38 | 8.5 |
| 35 - 36 | 8 |
| 33 - 34 | 7.5 |
| 30 - 32 | 7 |
| 27 - 29 | 6.5 |
| 23 - 26 | 6 |
| 19 - 22 | 5.5 |
| 15 - 18 | 5 |
| 13 - 14 | 4.5 |
| 10 - 12 | 4 |
How Bands are calculated in IELTS General Reading Test ?
| Correct Answers | Band Score |
|---|---|
| 40 | 9 |
| 39 | 8.5 |
| 37 - 38 | 8 |
| 36 | 7.5 |
| 34 - 35 | 7 |
| 32 - 33 | 6.5 |
| 30 - 31 | 6 |
| 27 - 29 | 5.5 |
| 23 - 26 | 5 |
| 19 - 22 | 4.5 |
| 15 - 18 | 4 |